Advocacy and Community Engagement (ACE) Internship

(Application deadline: Friday, August 7, 2026)
To read testimonials from previous interns, jump to the bottom of the page. 

PACC’s Advocacy and Civic Engagement (ACE) internship focuses on community empowerment, civic engagement, and Palestine Education for youth between the ages of 17 and 23 over a 10-month internship.

Community empowerment focuses on the internal work needed to uplift our community and unlock its full potential, pursued through political and cultural conversations centered on movement building.
Advocacy focuses on external efforts to support our community at the local, national, and international levels, from raising awareness about the Palestinian struggle, to civic engagement and voting efforts, to coalition building with similarly oppressed groups.
These two focus areas will be the central themes guiding your role and impact while on the ACE internship. 

Apply for Ace internship

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the ACE Internship?

The Advocacy & Civic Engagement (ACE) Internship is a 10-month leadership and civic engagement program hosted by the Palestinian American Community Center (PACC). It is designed for young adults ages 17–23 who are passionate about leadership, community service, advocacy, and creating positive social change. The internship begins on September 19, 2026, and ends on June 19, 2027. 

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants must:

• Be between the ages of 17 and 23
• Have an interest in leadership, advocacy, civic engagement, and community service
• Be willing to commit to the program requirements for the full 10 months
• Does not need to be in school

No prior advocacy or leadership experience is required.

What is the goal of the program?

The ACE Internship aims to develop young leaders by providing hands-on training in:

• Civic engagement
• Community organizing
• Advocacy and activism
• Professional development
• Leadership skills
• Coalition building
• Critical thinking

Participants will gain the tools and confidence to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

What will interns do?

Interns will:

• Attend monthly leadership workshops and educational sessions
• Learn from guest speakers and community leaders
• Participate in PACC volunteer opportunities
• Complete the Freedom is the Future (FIF) education course (18+)
• One-on-one program support 
• Be paired with a mentor in field of your interest
• Work in teams to develop and present a community impact project

How often do we meet?

The cohort meets once a month, typically on the third operational Saturday of the month from 2:00–5:00 PM at PACC.
Additional volunteer opportunities and mentorship meetings take place throughout the program.

How much volunteer time is required?

Participants are expected to complete:

• 4 volunteer hours each month
• Attend or volunteer at at least one PACC event each month

Volunteer opportunities are flexible and offered throughout the month.

Is attendance required?

Yes. Attendance at the monthly workshops is mandatory because each session builds on the previous one and relies on active participation.
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Participants are allowed one excused absence with advance communication.

Is there a mentorship component?

Yes! Every intern is paired with a professional mentor in a career field that matches their interests. Mentors meet with interns approximately every other month to provide guidance, networking opportunities, and career advice.

What is the final project?

Throughout the internship, participants work in small groups to design a project that addresses a need in their community.
Projects can focus on areas such as:

• Community wellness
• Education
• Environmental initiatives
• Youth programming
• Civic engagement
• Food insecurity
• Cultural preservation

The cohort presents these projects during the graduation ceremony.

Will participants receive a stipend?

Yes.
Participants who successfully complete all program requirements—including attendance, volunteer hours, and the final project—will receive a $500 stipend at the end of the program.

What makes the ACE Internship unique?

ACE combines:

• Leadership development
• Civic engagement
• Professional mentorship
• Community service
• Advocacy training
• Networking with community leaders
• Hands-on project management
• Palestine Education

The program is designed to help participants become stronger leaders while building practical skills they can use in college, careers, and their communities.

Who are some of the speakers?

Past speakers have included:

• Community organizers
• Elected officials
• Business leaders
• Advocacy experts
• Leadership coaches
• Professors and educators
• Cultural Archivist

Each session focuses on a different aspect of leadership and civic engagement.

What recognition do graduates receive?

Graduates receive:

• A Certificate of Completion from PACC
• A $500 completion stipend (upon fulfilling all program requirements)
• Professional mentorship and networking connections
• Leadership experience to strengthen college, scholarship, and job applications

Additionally, our previous ACE cohort was honored with both Congressional and State Legislative Certificates in recognition of their leadership and service to the community.

How can this internship help with college and career goals?

The ACE Internship helps participants:

• Build leadership experience
  
• Strengthen resumes
  
• Develop public speaking skills
  
• Learn project management
  
• Expand their professional network
  
• Gain volunteer and civic engagement experience
  
• Receive mentorship from professionals in their chosen field
  

These experiences can strengthen college applications, scholarship applications, internships, and future employment opportunities.

Is there a cost to participate?

No. The ACE Internship is free to participate for accepted students.

How do I apply?

Complete the application here:
ACE Internship Application
To learn more about the program, review the overview here:
ACE Internship Program Overview

Who can I contact with questions?

Haliema Twam
Civic Engagement & Advocacy Manager
Palestinian American Community Center (PACC)
Email: [email protected]

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I’m definitely new to the whole advocacy journey and I felt like this course correlated a lot with things that are occurring within my university and personal life. Everything that I was learning about during our meetings I was able to take out of this room or zoom call and implement it within my social organization on campus as well as within myself. I think others should take it because they learn why we fight for a free Palestine, how to do it in a correct way, as well as how to be a better leader."

I loved taking this course. I learned more about how to help the community. I was scared to take it because I wasn’t that experienced with anything, but I never felt embarrassed or nervous because of all the support and help PACC offered. (for example, phone tree) This program was a great way to start getting involved in the community."

This program was one of the best educational experiences I’ve ever had and taught me about my culture and gave me the tools on how to more effectively engage in my community."

Being an Advocacy and Civic Engagement intern at PACC has given me such valuable experiences and has helped me grow in so many ways. At the center of the internship is of course a focus on standing up against injustice, increasing my knowledge on Palestine, and being an engaged community member striving to make a difference, but this internship has provided me with exposure to even more. As an intern, I've benefited from the chance to have conversations and make personal connections with leaders of all kinds, opportunities I otherwise wouldn't have had. Additionally, I've become more confident in my abilities, such as public speaking and organizing, and feel more comfortable in pursuing future opportunities I might not have previously. PACC has been such a welcoming and supportive environment, and I would highly recommend applying for this internship as a piece of your personal growth journey."

The ACE program has truly redefined my understanding of Palestine's history and politics.  Others should take this course to gain perspective of the world around them."

My experience in the ACE internship was incredibly meaningful and rewarding. Throughout the program, I had the opportunity to phone bank and advocate, speak with many different people, volunteer in the community, and work on a final project where me and my peers created a community cookbook. These experiences helped me build communication skills, confidence, teamwork, and creativity. One of the best parts of the program was meeting amazing people, making great friends, and having a mentor who was supportive and inspiring. I would highly recommend this course to others because it gives students real-world experience, helps you grow personally and professionally, and creates lasting connections."